The Wasp — 1879 — page 138: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a large dog with a human head—labeled with features suggesting a specific San Francisco figure—being chased by a group of men. The caption reads "DOG GONE CUR(NEY) BEAT(S) FOR KELLOGG'S SPRINGS." The pun on "Curney" (likely referring to a local politician or public figure) combines animal imagery with social criticism typical of 19th-century American satire. The "beating" toward Kellogg's Springs suggests either exile, flight from scandal, or public ridicule driving someone from the city. The smaller vignette in the upper left shows a dog viewing a portrait, possibly commenting on the transformation or mockery of the subject. Without additional historical context about San Francisco politics in 1879, the specific figure's identity remains unclear, though the satire unmistakably targets a contemporary public figure through dehumanizing animal caricature.